But we don't mind "ragheads" now do we!!

According to some, calling it a "rag" is deprecative.

In some circles it's considered more PC to call it a small "sheet."

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Using derogatory terms in one's own speech or writing is offensive.

Misquoting someone else is offensive (even if they're dead).

If you do not preserve the language of prior generations as it was used by them you do not preserve their history.

If you're writing history, quote exactly what was said by the original speaker/writer without apologies.

If you're writing a "popular narrative description of historical events" you can substitute clumsy and meaningless bowdlerizations to your heart's content as long as you don't claim to be quoting someone.

John